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Chapter 9

1947 - A banner year for NCFR on National and International Levels

National & international involvement

Ernest Osborne a prominent NCFR leader was appointed program chair of the National White House Conference on Family Life by President Harry S. Truman. Concurrently, David Mace and other leaders were preparing for a World Conference on the Family.

1947 Annual Conference

November 28-30, 1947 - New York City

The 1947 annual conference was held at Hunter College, New York City, on November 28-30, 1947. Program chairs were Mr. & Mrs. George Denny. President Frank's address was titled "Needed: National Policies for American Families."

Findings from the 1940 Census on Families

Paul Glick, NCFR leader and family analyst at the Federal Bureau of Census published findings from 1940 census on families:

  • The average woman is 21.6 yrs. old (median age) at 1st marriage, husband is 24.3 yrs. old.
  • First child is born in the 1st year of marriage, last (of an average of 3) about 5.6 years after marriage.
  • These children marry when mother is 45-50 yrs. 
  • Wife expected to outlive spouse. Avg. life of husband is 61, wife is 74.
  • Couple is expected to live ¼ of married life together after children leave.
  • During family life cycle, home ownership increases, maximum income receipts, and maximum rental values of homes are found among families in which the head of household is 45-54 yrs. of age.

from MFL, vol. 9:3 1947, p58